Backing up my BA adjustment call during last game..

by graysteel on Oct 30, 2008 9:36 PM EDT

Hello all. I had recently join the site (with my 1st comment about BA adjusting at the half of last game).

Well, I would like to quickly tell you a little about myself, my knowledge about the team, and defend my 1st comment.

I grew up here in western PA, about 2 hrs from the Burgh, spent 8 yrs in the military (which gave me a real appreciation of reading every article I could find about the Steelers - I still do every day on and off season), I have little writing skills, and I dress all 4 of my kids up in Steeler gear before every game.

Now, I believe that Bruce is a good coordinator. Not a great one, but above average. He's mentored one of the games all time greats (Manning--no, not Eli), and Tomlin chose him. I really believe coach Tomlin is very peculiar in everything he does!

But, I watch our offense and am puzzled with how ineffective we are given our talent. 25th RANKED OFFENSE!!! I've read our in-game posts for awhile, and always hear at least twice per game THROW THE BALL BEN,, GET RID OF THE BALL BEN!! Maybe the big one can't grasp progression as well as other QB's? He really does have the time. Maybe he does hold on to the ball too long to make the big play? Does anyone really want to get hit that many times? And does the coach really want his franchise player get hit that many times? NO! Ben has been taught WR progression, and he does want to get the ball out before losing 5,6,7,10 yds for his team.

The problem is the play calling. How many outlets do you see Ben having? It always seems, (and I think I've heard him say) Ben, look for the long ball first. THERE'S a couple seconds. Then progress downward. Too much time for a play to materialize. I know, I know, Ben has a say in the play call. He thinks he can take the hits (he likes the attention...accept that...he got drafted in the same draft as the big market Eli and Philip...oh, and he has Romo to battle with).

Watch Kerry Collins, Drew Breese, Eli, Rivers, Romo play, and you will always see some sort of outlet and quick passes (that are not always slants!) and you will see an effective offense and highly touted QB's!!

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Comments

I'm confused

Are you defending Arians or criticizing him?

As a coordinator he has a lot of potential but he seems to not learn from his mistakes. If he adjust a little better than he’d be fine (which may be your argument, I’m not sure).
I think he needs to do a better job of planing to our strengths rather than working the players into his game plan, does that makes sense.

I think with this offense, Parker (or whoever is the RB at that point) should get at least 25 carries and Heath Miller should be the #2 receiver (in terms of receptions) on the team. That means a lot of runs and short passes that will open up those long bombs to Holmes and Washington that he loves so much.

by shleeve on Oct 30, 2008 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

Sry for the confusion

Yes, iam not defending him. i guess I was criticizing him in a nice way.

I logged in around late 1st quarter of last game and said “Let’s hope BA adjusts at half-time”. I totally agree with him planing to our strengths, AND, planing around the other teams game philosophy….which usually is, send allot of people, because they will either run or throw deep. Like you said, he just doesn’t seem to learn, and he just might shorten Ben’s career because of it.

Yes, 25 – 30 carries will open up the deep ball, but really, we’re the Steelers.. My Grandma knows that they will run the ball. My problem isn’t with opening up certain routes, it’s giving Ben a safety valve. Bruce should know better, or at least, have learned it by now.

by graysteel on Oct 30, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Your grandma aint right no more

Sorry but apparently this team does NOT run when they should.

Look back at the Gints game and some of last years losses, a lot of them have one thing in common: More than 4 ypc average on the ground. That means we were good but didnt do it enough.

Case in point, Mewelde Moore running like a beast and getting hardly any touches.

When you pass on 2nd and 1, you get picked. If you run the damn ball you wont.

Thats why Jerome Bettis was the shit.

by Mechem on Oct 31, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Screens?

I think BA is convinced they’re only fow windows. Where is the Ward or Holmes screen? They show up so rarely. Some teams make a living with the screen..why can’t we? I thought they got Moore for this very situation, to come out of the backfield and catch the ball? It looks like they are just looking for the deep routes so they are having to keep the backs and TEs in to block. Moore was in blocking on the last posession of the 4th quarter and unfortunately he got used by the defender. I would definitely like to see Ben beable to check down to the back or TE, especially Miller.

by Silverback92 on Oct 30, 2008 11:27 PM EDT reply actions